§ 303.

CONDITIONAL USES

a.

General. The Planning Commission shall hear and make determinations regarding applications for the authorization of conditional uses in the specific situations in which such authorization is provided for elsewhere in this Code. The procedures for conditional uses shall be as specified in this Section and in Sections 306 through 306.6, except that Planned Unit Developments shall in addition be subject to Section 304, medical institutions and post-secondary educational institutions shall in addition be subject to the institutional master plan requirements of Section 304.5, and conditional use and Planned Unit Development applications filed pursuant to Article 7, or otherwise required by this Code for uses or features in Neighborhood Commercial Districts, and conditional use applications within South of Market Districts, shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Sections 316 through 316.8 of this Code, in lieu of those provided for in Sections 306.2 and 306.3 of this Code, with respect to scheduling and notice of hearings, and in addition to those provided for in Sections 306.4 and 306.5 of this Code, with respect to conduct of hearings and reconsideration.

b.

Initiation. A conditional use action may be initiated by application of the owner, or authorized agent for the owner, of the property for which the conditional use is sought. For a conditional use application to relocate a general advertising sign under subsection (I) below, application shall be made by a general advertising sign company that has filed a Relocation Agreement application and all required information with the Planning Department pursuant to Section 2.21 of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

c.

Determination. After its hearing on the application, or upon the recommendation of the Director of Planning if the application is filed pursuant to Sections 316 through 316.8 of this Code and no hearing is required, the Planning Commission shall approve the application and authorize a conditional use if the facts presented are such to establish:

1.

That the proposed use or feature, at the size and intensity contemplated and at the proposed location, will provide a development that is necessary or desirable for, and compatible with, the neighborhood or the community:

(A)
In Neighborhood Commercial Districts, if the proposed use is to be located at a location in which the square footage exceeds the limitations found in Planning Code Section 121.2(a) or 121.2(b), the following shall be considered:

i.

The intensity of activity in the district is not such that allowing the larger use will be likely to foreclose the location of other needed neighborhood-servicing uses in the area; and

ii.

The proposed use will serve the neighborhood, in whole or in significant part, and the nature of the use requires a larger size in order to function; and

iii.

The building in which the use is to be located is designed in discrete elements which respect the scale of development in the district; and

2.

That such use or feature as proposed will not be detrimental to the health, safety, convenience or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity, or injurious to property, improvements or potential development in the vicinity, with respect to aspects including but not limited to the following:

A.

The nature of the proposed site, including its size and shape, and the proposed size, shape and arrangement of structures;

B.

The accessibility and traffic patterns for persons and vehicles, the type and volume of such traffic, and the adequacy of proposed off-street parking and loading and of proposed alternatives to off-street parking, including provisions of car-share parking spaces, as defined in Section 166 of this Code.

C.

The safeguards afforded to prevent noxious or offensive emissions such as noise, glare, dust and odor;

D.

Treatment given, as appropriate, to such aspects as landscaping, screening, open spaces, parking and loading areas, service areas, lighting and signs; and

3.

That such use or feature as proposed will comply with the applicable provisions of this Code and will not adversely affect the General Plan; and

4.

With respect to applications filed pursuant to Article 7 of this Code, that such use or feature as proposed will provide development that is in conformity with the stated purpose of the applicable Neighborhood Commercial District; and

5.

(A) With respect to applications filed pursuant to Article 7, Section 703.2(a), for a movie theater use as defined in Planning Code Section 790.64, an Adult Entertainment use as defined in Planning Code Section 790.36, or Other Entertainment uses as defined in Planning Code Section 790.38, that such use or feature will:

i.

Not be located within 1,000 feet of another such use, if the proposed use or feature is an Adult Entertainment Use, as defined by Section 790.36 of this Code; and/or

ii.

Not be open between two a.m. and six a.m.; and

iii.

Not use electronic amplification between midnight and six a.m.; and

iv.

Be adequately soundproofed or insulated for noise and operated so that incidental noise shall not be audible beyond the premises or in other sections of the building and fixed-source equipment noise shall not exceed the decibel levels specified in the San Francisco Noise Control Ordinance.

B.

Notwithstanding the above, the Planning Commission may authorize a conditional use which does not satisfy the criteria set forth in (5)(A)(ii) and/or (5)(A)(iii) above, if facts presented are such to establish that the use will be operated in such a way as to minimize disruption to residences in and around the district with respect to noise and crowd control.

C.

The action of the Planning Commission approving a conditional use does not take effect until the appeal period is over or while the approval is under appeal.

6.

With respect to applications for live/work units in RH, RM and RTO Districts filed pursuant to Section 209.9(f) or 209.9(h) of this Code, that:

A.

Each live/work unit is within a building envelope in existence on the effective date of Ordinance No. 412-88 (effective October 10, 1988) and also within a portion of the building which lawfully contains at the time of application a nonconforming, nonresidential use;

B.

There shall be no more than one live/work unit for each 1,000 gross square feet of floor area devoted to live/work units within the subject structure; and

C.

The project sponsor will provide any off-street parking, in addition to that otherwise required by this Code, needed to satisfy the reasonably anticipated auto usage by residents of and visitors to the project.

Such action of the Planning Commission, in either approving or disapproving the application, shall be final except upon the filing of a valid appeal to the Board of Supervisors as provided in Section 308.1.

d.

Conditions. When considering an application for a conditional use as provided herein with respect to applications for development of “dwellings” as defined in Chapter 87 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, the Commission shall comply with that Chapter which requires, among other things, that the Commission not base any decision regarding the development of “dwellings” in which “protected class” members are likely to reside on information which may be discriminatory to any member of a “protected class” (as all such terms are defined in Chapter 87 of the San Francisco Administrative Code). In addition, when authorizing a conditional use as provided herein, the Planning Commission, or the Board of Supervisors on appeal, shall prescribe such additional conditions, beyond those specified in this Code, as are in its opinion necessary to secure the objectives of the Code. Once any portion of the conditional use authorization is utilized, all such conditions pertaining to such authorization shall become immediately operative. The violation of any condition so imposed shall constitute a violation of this Code and may constitute grounds for revocation of the conditional use authorization. Such conditions may include time limits for exercise of the conditional use authorization; otherwise, any exercise of such authorization must commence within a reasonable time.

e.

Modification of Conditions. Authorization of a change in any condition previously imposed in the authorization of a conditional use shall be subject to the same procedures as a new conditional use. Such procedures shall also apply to applications for modification or waiver of conditions set forth in prior stipulations and covenants relative thereto continued in effect by the provisions of Section 174 of this Code.

f.

Conditional Use Abatement. The Planning Commission may consider the possible revocation of a conditional use or the possible modification of or placement of additional conditions on a conditional use when the Planning Commission determines, based upon substantial evidence, that the applicant for the conditional use had submitted false or misleading information in the application process that could have reasonably had a substantial effect upon the decision of the Commission or the conditional use is not in compliance with a condition of approval, is in violation of law if the violation is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission or operates in such a manner as to create hazardous, noxious or offensive conditions enumerated in Section 202(c) if the violation is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission and these circumstances have not been abated through administrative action of the Director, the Zoning Administrator or other City authority. Such consideration shall be the subject of a public hearing before the Planning Commission but no fee shall be required of the applicant or the subject conditional use operator.

1.

The Director of Planning or the Planning Commission may seek a public hearing on conditional use abatement when the Director or Commission has substantial evidence submitted within one year of the effective date of the Conditional Use authorization that the applicant for the conditional use had submitted false or misleading information in the application process that could have reasonably had a substantial effect upon the decision of the Commission or substantial evidence of a violation of conditions of approval, a violation of law, or operation which creates hazardous, noxious or offensive conditions enumerated in Section 202(c).

2.

The notice for the public hearing on a conditional use abatement shall be subject to the notification procedure as described in Sections 306.3 and 306.8 except that notice to the property owner and the operator of the subject establishment or use shall be mailed by regular and certified mail.

3.

In considering a conditional use revocation, the Commission shall consider whether and how the false or misleading information submitted by the applicant could have reasonably had a substantial effect upon the decision of the Commission, or the Board of Supervisors on appeal, to authorize the conditional use, substantial evidence of how any required condition has been violated or not implemented or how the conditional use is in violation of the law if the violation is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission or operates in such a manner as to create hazardous, noxious or offensive conditions enumerated in Section 202(c) if the violation is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission. As an alternative to revocation, the Commission may consider how the use can be required to meet the law or the conditions of approval, how the hazardous, noxious or offensive conditions can be abated, or how the criteria of Section 303(c) can be met by modifying existing conditions or by adding new conditions which could remedy a violation.

4.

Appeals. A decision by the Planning Commission to revoke a conditional use, to modify conditions or to place additional conditions on a conditional use or a decision by the Planning Commission refusing to revoke or amend a conditional use, may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days after the date of action by the Planning Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 308.1(b) The Board of Supervisors may disapprove the action of the Planning Commission in an abatement matter by the same vote necessary to overturn the Commission’s approval or denial of a conditional use. The Planning Commission’s action on a conditional use abatement issue shall take effect when the appeal period is over or, upon appeal, when there is final action on the appeal.

5.

Reconsideration. The decision by the Planning Commission with regards to a conditional use abatement issue or by the Board of Supervisors on appeal shall be final and not subject to reconsideration within a period of one year from the effective date of final action upon the earlier abatement proceeding, unless the Director of Planning determines that:

A.

There is substantial new evidence of a new conditional use abatement issue that is significantly different than the issue previously considered by the Planning Commission; or

B.

There is substantial new evidence about the same conditional use abatement issue considered in the earlier abatement proceeding, this new evidence was not or could not be reasonably available at the time of the earlier abatement proceeding, and that new evidence indicates that the Commission’s decision in the earlier proceeding has not been implemented within a reasonable time or raises significant new issues not previously considered by the Planning Commission. The decision of the Director of Planning regarding the sufficiency and adequacy of evidence to allow the reconsideration of a conditional use abatement issue within a period of one year from the effective date of final action on the earlier abatement proceeding shall be final.

g.

Hotels and Motels.

1.

With respect to applications for development of tourist hotels and motels, the Planning Commission shall consider, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above:

A.

The impact of the employees of the hotel or motel on the demand in the City for housing, public transit, childcare, and other social services. To the extent relevant, the Commission shall also consider the seasonal and part-time nature of employment in the hotel or motel;

B.

The measures that will be taken by the project sponsor to employ residents of San Francisco in order to minimize increased demand for regional transportation;

C.

The market demand for a hotel or motel of the type proposed; and

D.

In the Transit Center C-3-O(SD) Commercial Special Use District, the opportunity for commercial growth in the Special Use District and whether the proposed hotel, considered with other hotels and non-commercial uses approved or proposed for major development sites in the Special Use District since its adoption would substantially reduce the capacity to accommodate dense, transit-oriented job growth in the District.

(2)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (g)(1) above, the Planning Commission shall not consider the impact of the employees of a proposed hotel or motel project on the demand in the City for housing where:

A.

The proposed project would be located on property under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Port Commission; and

B.

The sponsor of the proposed project has been granted exclusive rights to propose the project by the San Francisco Port Commission prior to June 1, 1991.

3.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (g)(1) above, with respect to the conversion of residential units to tourist hotel or motel use pursuant to an application filed on or before June 1, 1990 under the provisions of Chapter 41 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, the Planning Commission shall not consider the criteria contained in Subsection (g)(1) above; provided, however, that the Planning Commission shall consider the criteria contained in Subsection (g)(1)(B) at a separate public hearing if the applicant applies for a permit for new construction or alteration where the cost of such construction or alteration exceeds $100,000. Furthermore, no change in classification from principal permitted use to conditional use in Section 216(b)(i) of this Code shall apply to hotels or motels that have filed applications on or before June 1, 1990 to convert residential units to tourist units pursuant to Chapter 41 of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

h.

Internet Services Exchange.

1.

With respect to application for development of Internet Services Exchange as defined in Section 209.6(c), the Planning Commission shall, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsection (c) above, find that:

A.

The intensity of the use at this location and in the surrounding neighborhood is not such that allowing the use will likely foreclose the location of other needed neighborhood-serving uses in the area;

B.

The building in which the use is located is designed in discrete elements, which respect the scale of development in adjacent blocks, particularly any existing residential uses;

C.

Rooftop equipment on the building in which the use is located is screened appropriately.

D.

The back-up power system for the proposed use will comply with all applicable federal state, regional and local air pollution controls.

E.

Fixed-source equipment noise does not exceed the decibel levels specified in the San Francisco Noise Control Ordinance.

F.

The building is designed to minimize energy consumption, such as through the use of energy-efficient technology, including without limitation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, lighting controls, natural ventilation and recapturing waste heat, and as such commercially available technology evolves;

G.

The project sponsor has examined the feasibility of supplying and, to the extent feasible, will supply all or a portion of the building’s power needs through on-site power generation, such as through the use of fuel cells or co-generation;

H.

The project sponsor shall have submitted design capacity and projected power use of the building as part of the conditional use application; and

2.

As a condition of approval, and so long as the use remains an Internet Services Exchange, the project sponsor shall submit to the Planning Department on an annual basis power use statements for the previous twelve-month period as provided by all suppliers of utilities and shall submit a written annual report to the Department of Environment and the Planning Department which shall state: (a) the annual energy consumption and fuel consumption of all tenants and occupants of the Internet Services Exchange; (b) the number of all diesel generators located at the site and the hours of usage, including usage for testing purposes; (c) evidence that diesel generators at the site are in compliance with all applicable local, regional, state and federal permits, regulations and laws; and (d) such other information as the Planning Commission may require.

3.

The Planning Department shall have the following responsibilities regarding Internet Services Exchanges:

A.

Upon the effective date of the requirement of a conditional use permit for an Internet Services Exchange, the Planning Department shall notify property owners of all existing Internet Services Exchanges that the use has been reclassified as a conditional use;

B.

Upon the effective date of the requirement of a conditional use permit for an Internet Services Exchange, the Planning Department shall submit to the Board of Supervisors and to the Director of the Department of Building Inspection a written report covering all existing Internet Services Exchanges and those Internet Services Exchanges seeking to obtain a conditional use permit, which report shall state the address, assessor’s block and lot, zoning classification, square footage of the Internet Services Exchange constructed or to be constructed, a list of permits previously issued by the Planning and/or Building Inspection Departments concerning the Internet Services Exchange, the date of issuance of such permits, and the status of any outstanding requests for permits from the Planning and/or Building Inspection Departments concerning Internet Services Exchange; and

C.

Within three years from the effective date of the requirement of a conditional use permit for an Internet Services Exchange, the Planning Department, in consultation with the Department of Environment, shall submit to the Board of Supervisors a written report, which report shall contain the Planning Commission’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the conditions imposed on Internet Services Exchanges, and whether it recommends additional or modified conditions to reduce energy and fuel consumption, limit air pollutant emissions, and enhance the compatibility of industrial uses, such as Internet Services Exchanges, located near or in residential or commercial districts.

i.

Formula Retail Uses.

(1)
Formula Retail Use. A formula retail use is hereby defined as a type of retail sales activity or retail sales establishment which has eleven or more other retail sales establishments located in the United States. In addition to the eleven establishments, the business maintains two or more of the following features: a standardized array of merchandise, a standardized facade, a standardized decor and color scheme, uniform apparel, standardized signage, a trademark or a servicemark.

(A) Standardized array of merchandise shall be defined as 50% or more of in-stock merchandise from a single distributor bearing uniform markings.

(B) Trademark shall be defined as a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods from one party from those of others.

(C) Servicemark shall be defined as word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service from one party from those of others.

(D) Decor shall be defined as the style of interior furnishings, which may include but is not limited to, style of furniture, wall coverings or permanent fixtures.

(E) Color Scheme shall be defined as selection of colors used throughout, such as on the furnishings, permanent fixtures, and wall coverings, or as used on the facade.

(F) Facade shall be defined as the face or front of a building, including awnings, looking onto a street or an open space.

(G) Uniform Apparel shall be defined as standardized items of clothing including but not limited to standardized aprons, pants, shirts, smocks or dresses, hat, and pins (other than name tags) as well as standardized colors of clothing.

(H) Signage shall be defined as business sign pursuant to Section 602.3 of the Planning Code.

(2)
“Retail Sales Activity or Retail Sales Establishment.” For the purposes of subsection (i), a retail sales activity or retail sales establishment shall include the following uses, as defined in Article 7 and Article 8 of this Code: “Bar,” “Drive-up Facility,” “Eating and Drinking Use,” “Liquor Store,” “Sales and Service, Other Retail,” “Restaurant,” “Limited-Restaurant,” “Take-Out Food,” “Sales and Service, Retail,” “Service, Financial,” “Movie Theater,” and “Amusement and Game Arcade.”

(3)
Conditional Use Criteria. With regard to a conditional use authorization application for a formula retail use, the Planning Commission shall consider, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsection (c) above:

(A) The existing concentrations of formula retail uses within the district.

(B) The availability of other similar retail uses within the district.

(C) The compatibility of the proposed formula retail use with the existing architectural and aesthetic character of the district.

(D) The existing retail vacancy rates within the district.

(E) The existing mix of Citywide-serving retail uses and neighborhood-serving retail uses within the district.

(4)
Conditional Use Authorization Required. A Conditional Use Authorization shall be required for a formula retail use in the following zoning districts unless explicitly exempted:

(A) All Neighborhood Commercial Districts in Article 7;

(B) All Mixed Use-General Districts in Section 840;

(C) All Urban Mixed Use Districts in Section 843;

(D) All Residential-Commercial Districts as defined in Section 206.3;

(E) Japantown Special Use District as defined in Section 249.31;

(F) Chinatown Community Business District as defined in Section 810.1;

(G) Chinatown Residential/Neighborhood Commercial District as defined in Section 812.1;

(H) Western SoMa Planning Area Special Use District as defined in Section 823;

(J) Limited Conforming Use/Non-Conforming Use in RH-RM-RTO and RED Districts.

(K) Third Street Formula Retail Restricted Use District, as defined in Section 786.

(5)
Formula Retail Uses Not Permitted. Formula Retail Uses are not permitted in the following zoning districts:

(A) Hayes-Gough Neighborhood Commercial Transit District;

(B) North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District;

(C) Chinatown Visitor Retail District;

(D) Upper Fillmore District does not permit Formula Retail uses that are also Restaurant or Limited-Restaurant uses as defined in Section 790.90 and 790.91;

(E) Broadway Neighborhood Commercial District does not permit Formula Retail uses that are also Restaurant or Limited-Restaurant uses as defined in Section 790.90 and 790.91;

(F) Mission Street Formula Retail Restaurant Subdistrict does not permit Formula Retail uses that are also Restaurant or Limited-Restaurant uses as defined in Section 790.90 and 790.91;

(G) Geary Boulevard Formula Retail Pet Supply Store and Formula Retail Eating and Drinking Subdistrict does not permit Formula Retail uses that are also either a Retail Pet Supply Store or an Eating and Drinking use as set forth in Section 781.4;

(H) Taraval Street Restaurant Subdistrict does not permit Formula Retail uses that are also Restaurant or Limited-Restaurant uses as defined in Sections 790.90 and 790.91;

(6)
Neighborhood Commercial Notification and Design Review. Any building permit application for a “formula retail use” as defined in this section and located within a Neighborhood Commercial District in Article 7 shall be subject to the Neighborhood Commercial Notification and Design Review Procedures of Section 312 of this Code.

(7)
Change in Use. A change from one formula retail use to another requires a new Conditional Use Authorization, whether or not a Conditional Use Authorization would otherwise be required by the particular change in use in question. This Conditional Use Authorization requirement also applies in changes from one Formula Retail operator to another within the same use category. A new Conditional Use Authorization shall not apply to a change in a formula use retailer that meets the following criteria:

(A) the formula use operation remains the same in terms of its size, function and general merchandise offering as determined by the Zoning Administrator, and

(B) the change in the formula retail use operator is the result of the business being purchased by another formula retail operator who will retain all components of the existing retailer, including but not limited to the signage for the premises, the name of the premises and the general merchandise offered on the premises.

The new operator shall comply with all conditions of approval previously imposed on the existing operator, including but not limited to signage programs and hours of operation; and shall conduct the operation generally in the same manner and offer essentially the same services and/or type of merchandise; or seek and be granted a new Conditional Use Authorization.

(8)
Determination of Formula Retail Use. In those areas in which “formula retail uses” are prohibited, any building permit application determined by the City to be for a “formula retail use” that does not identify the use as a “formula retail use” is incomplete and cannot be processed until the omission is corrected. Any building permit approved that is determined by the City to have been, at the time of application, for a “formula retail use” that did not identify the use as a “formula retail use” is subject to revocation at any time. If the City determines that a building permit application or building permit subject to this Section of the Code is for a “formula retail use,” the building permit application or holder bears the burden of proving to the City that the proposed or existing use is not a “formula retail use.”

j.

Large-Scale Retail Uses. With respect to applications for the establishment of large-scale retail uses under Section 121.6, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above, the Commission shall consider the following:

1.

The extent to which the retail use’s parking is planned in a manner that creates or maintains active street frontage patterns;

2.

The extent to which the retail use is a component of a mixed-use project or is designed in a manner that encourages mixed-use building opportunities;

3.

The shift in traffic patterns that may result from drawing traffic to the location of the proposed use; and

4.

The impact that the employees at the proposed use will have on the demand in the City for housing, public transit, childcare, and other social services.

k.

Movie Theater Uses.

1.

With respect to a change in use or demolition of a movie theater use as set forth in Sections 221.1, 703.2(b)(1)(B)(ii), 803.2(b)(1)(B)(iii) or 803.3(b)(1)(B)(ii), in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above, the Commission shall make the following findings:

A.

Preservation of a movie theater use is no longer economically viable and cannot effect a reasonable economic return to the property owner;

i.

For purposes of defining “reasonable economic return,” the Planning Commission shall be guided by the criteria for “fair return on investment” as set forth in Section 228.4(a).

B.

The change in use or demolition of the movie theater use will not undermine the economic diversity and vitality of the surrounding Neighborhood Commercial District; and

C.

The resulting project will preserve the architectural integrity of important historic features of the movie theater use affected.

l.

Relocation of Existing General Advertising Signs pursuant to a General Advertising Sign Company Relocation Agreement.

1.

Before the Planning Commission may consider an application for a conditional use to relocate an existing lawfully permitted general advertising sign as authorized by Section 611 of this Code, the applicant sign company must have:

A.

Obtained a current Relocation Agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors under Section 2.21 of the San Francisco Administrative Code that covers the sign or signs proposed to be relocated; and

B.

Submitted to the Department a current sign inventory, site map, and the other information required under Section 604.2 of this Code; and

C.

Obtained the written consent to the relocation of the sign from the owner of the property upon which the existing sign structure is erected.

D.

Obtained a permit to demolish the sign structure at the existing location.

2.

The Department, in its discretion, may review in a single conditional use application all signs proposed for relocation by a general advertising company or may require that one or more of the signs proposed for relocation be considered in a separate application or applications. Prior to the Commission’s public hearing on the application, the Department shall have verified the completeness and accuracy of the general advertising sign company’s sign inventory.

3.

Only one sign may be erected in a new location, which shall be the same square footage or less than the existing sign proposed to be relocated. In no event may the square footage of several existing signs be aggregated in order to erect a new sign with greater square footage; provided however the square footage of one or more existing signs may be disaggregated in order to erect multiple smaller signs with lesser total square footage.

4.

In addition to applicable criteria set forth in subsection (c) above, the Planning Commission shall consider the size and visibility of the signs proposed to be located as well as the following factors in determining whether to approve or disapprove a proposed relocation:

A.

The factors set forth in this subsection (A) shall weigh in favor of the Commission’s approval of the proposed relocation site:

i.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are lawfully existing but are not in conformity with the sign regulations that existed prior to the adoption of Proposition G on March 5, 2002.

ii.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are on a City list, if any, of priorities for sign removal or signs preferred for relocation.

iii.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are within, adjacent to, or visible from property under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Port Commission, the San Francisco Unified School District, or the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission.

iv.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are within, adjacent to, or visible from an Historic District or conservation district designated in Article 10 or Article 11 of the Planning Code.

v.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are within, adjacent to, or visible from a zoning district where general advertising signs are prohibited.

vi.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are within, adjacent to, or visible from a designated view corridor.

B.

The factors set forth in this Subsection (B) shall weigh against the Commission’s approval of the proposed relocation:

i.

The sign or signs proposed for relocation are or will be obstructed, partially obstructed, or removed from public view by another structure or by landscaping.

ii.

The proposed relocation site is adjacent to or visible from property under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Port Commission, the San Francisco Unified School District, or the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission.

iii.

The proposed relocation site is adjacent to or visible from an Historic District or conservation district designated in Article 10 or Article 11 of the Planning Code.

iv.

The proposed relocation site is within, adjacent to, or visible from a zoning district where general advertising signs are prohibited.

v.

The proposed relocation site is within, adjacent to, or visible from a designated view corridor.

vi.

There is significant neighborhood opposition to the proposed relocation site.

5.

In no event may the Commission approve a relocation where:

(A)
The sign or signs proposed for relocation have been erected, placed, replaced, reconstructed, or relocated on the property, or intensified in illumination or other aspect, or expanded in area or in any dimension in violation of Article 6 of this Code or without a permit having been duly issued; or

B.

The proposed relocation site is not a lawful location under Planning Code Section 611(c)(2); or

C.

The sign in its new location would exceed the size, height or dimensions, or increase the illumination or other intensity of the sign at its former location; or

D.

The sign in its new location would not comply with the Code requirements for that location as set forth in Article 6 of this Code; or

E.

The sign has been removed from its former location; or

F.

The owner of the property upon which the existing sign structure is erected has not consented in writing to the relocation of the sign.

6.

The Planning Commission may adopt additional criteria for relocation of general advertising signs that do not conflict with this Section 303(l) or Section 611 of this Code.

m.

General Grocery Store Uses.

1.

With respect to a change in use or demolition of general grocery store use as set forth in Sections 218.2, 703.2(b)(1)(B)(iii), 803.2(b)(1)(B)(iv) or 803.3 (b)(1)(B)(iii) which use exceeds 5,000 gross square feet, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above, the Commission shall make the following findings:

A.

Preservation of a general grocery store use is no longer economically viable and cannot effect a reasonable economic return to the property owner. The Commission may disregard the above finding if it finds that the change in use or replacement structure in the case of demolition will contain a general grocery store that is of a sufficient size to serve the shopping needs of nearby residents and offers comparable services to the former general grocery store.

i.

For purposes of defining “reasonable economic return,” the Planning Commission shall be guided by the criteria for “fair return on investment” as set forth in Section 228.4(a).

B.

The change in use or demolition of the general grocery store use will not undermine the economic diversity and vitality of the surrounding neighborhood.

n.

Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments.

1.

With respect to a Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishment, as defined in Section 227(v) of this Code, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsections (c) and (d) above, the Commission shall make the following findings:

A.

The concentration of such establishments in the particular zoning district for which they are proposed does not appear to contribute directly to peace, health, safety, and general welfare problems, including drug use, drug sales, drug trafficking, other crimes associated with drug use, loitering, and littering, as well as traffic circulation, parking, and noise problems on the district’s public streets and lots;

B.

The concentration of such establishments in the particular zoning district for which they are proposed does not appear to adversely impact the health, safety, and welfare of residents of nearby areas, including fear for the safety of children, elderly and disabled residents, and visitors to San Francisco; and

C.

The proposed establishment is compatible with the existing character of the particular district for which it is proposed.

o.

Massage Establishments.

1.

With respect to Massage Establishments that are subject to Conditional Use authorization, as defined in Sections 218.1, 790.60, and 890.60 of this Code, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsection (c) above, the Commission shall make the following findings:

A.

Whether the applicant has obtained, and maintains in good standing, a permit for a Massage Establishment from the Department of Public Health pursuant to Section 1908 of the San Francisco Health Code;

B.

Whether the use’s facade is transparent and open to the public. Permanent transparency and openness are preferable. Elements that lend openness and transparency to a facade include:

i.

active street frontage of at least 25′ in length where 75% of that length is devoted to entrances to commercially used space or windows at the pedestrian eye-level;

ii.

windows that use clear, untinted glass, except for decorative or architectural accent;

iii.

any decorative railings or decorative grille work, other than wire mesh, which is placed in front of or behind such windows, should be at least 75 percent open to perpendicular view and no more than six feet in height above grade;

C.

Whether the use includes pedestrian-oriented lighting. Well lit establishments where lighting is installed and maintained along all public rights-of-way adjacent to the building with the massage use during the post-sunset hours of the massage use are encouraged:

D.

Whether the use is reasonably oriented to facilitate public access. Barriers that make entrance to the use more difficult than to an average service-provider in the area are to be strongly discouraged. These include (but are not limited to) foyers equipped with double doors that can be opened only from the inside and security cameras.

p.

Eating and Drinking Uses.

1.

Conditional Use Criteria. With regard to a conditional use authorization application for a Restaurant, Limited-Restaurant and Bar uses in Neighborhood Commercial Districts or Mixed Use Districts, the Planning Commission shall consider, in addition to the criteria set forth in Subsection (c) above:

A.

The existing concentration of eating and drinking uses in the area. Such concentration should not exceed 25% of the total commercial frontage as measured in linear feet within the immediate area of the subject site. For the purposes of this Section of the Code, the immediate area shall be defined as all properties located within 300′ of the subject property and also located within the same zoning district.

Download

Comments

Trust, But Verify

This is not an official copy of the Municipal Codes of San Francisco and
should not be relied upon for legal or other official purposes. Please refer
to the Official Codes provided by American Legal Publishing for the verified
and official codes. You may not modify these codes and then represent them as
the original or official codes of the City and County of San Francisco. The
code can only be officially changed through the legislative process and
willfully misrepresenting modified code as the official code of the City and
County of San Francisco is strictly prohibited.

All user-contributed content is owned by its authors. The laws are owned by the
people and, consequently, are not governed by copyright—so do whatever you want
with them. This website does not constitute legal advice. Only a lawyer can
provide legal advice. While every effort is made to keep all information
up-to-date and accurate, no guarantee is made as to its accuracy.